Turn Signal Switches

[solder_guy]

I started looking at turn signal switches on eBay. There are several which can clamp to the steering column. One design has a light at the end of the stem that indicates that the turn signals are on. This setup is more intuitive than a switch mounted on the dashboard.

 

 

 

>Turn Signal Light Switch

 

 

 

Might this work with the Rotus? I'll have to wait and see about my car ..

 

 

 

Rob Mitchell, Atlanta, GAsolder_guy38736.3383101852

[slngsht]

You got a link?

[solder_guy]

Do now! What do you think?? Will this work with your Rotus Mazda??

 

 

 

Rob Mitchell

 

solder_guy38736.8203009259

[sugino]

Many Caterham owners use one of these

 

>http://

 

www.signaldynamics.com/products/Modules/turn.asp

 

from the motorcycle world. I have one on my Seven with a couple of switches

 

directly on the steering wheel

 

 

 

sugino38737.2444675926

[slngsht]

I like the signaldynamics setup.

 

 

 

The lane change mode (press for one second) is a nice feature.

 

 

 

C6 vettes have a similar setup... press the turn signal stalk, but don't fully engage it, and let it go. It will blink that side 3 times.

[JohnCh]

I also have switches mounted on my steering wheel, but I am using >the Cadent Technologies turn signal module.  It auto cancels after 15 seconds, but the countdown clock will reset itself whenever you apply and then release the brakes.  This is a very useful feature when stuck at a busy intersection.  It also has an option to rapidly flash your brake lights three times upon initial application.  I am runnning my roll bar mounted third brake light to that circuit and it really seems to get the attention of the latte drinking, cell phone using SUV drivers here in Seattle.

http://home.comcast.net/~cobar/images/dash.jpg

-John

[slngsht]

The brake light features (both the flashing brake light, and resetting the counter) sound pretty good.

 

 

 

Do you find 15 seconds after you start moving to be kind of long?

[JohnCh]

The unit will also cancel on demand by simply repushing the button, which is how I tend to use it.  I find that I typically cancel it within 10-15 seconds, but it isn't uncommon for the 15 second clock to time out while I am still completing a turn, so I think even 20 seconds would be fine.

-John

[solder_guy]

As much as I appreciate automatic circuits .. I like to have control of what is happening. And being a traditionalist, I will probably go with a turn signal lever .. whether it be cancelling or non-cancelling.

 

 

 

But I think that I will make my "back off" pushbutton flash all the lights and the mirror chevrons!

 

 

 

BTW: Cool dash! Is it padded?

 

 

 

Rob Mitchell, Atlanta, GA

 

solder_guy38737.3546412037

[JohnCh]

As much as I appreciate automatic circuits .. I like to have control of what is happening.

I am the same way.  The only reason I went with an auto cancelling module is that I wanted to incorporate steering wheel mounted buttons and the ones I liked were only available in a momentary design.  This meant that I couldn't use a regular turn signal flasher and I was unsuccessful finding anything affordable and non-bulky that would convert the momentary action into a latching-type signal.

Yes, the dash is padded, but I am about to redo it and will probably lose the padding (car is a Westfield BTW which is why the dash looks a bit different)

-John

[Old Yellow]

In order to get a quick disconnect I'm going to cut the shaft between the dash and fire wall. It's 18mm and I will get a adaptor machined by a friend to connect a 18mm and 3/4" shaft. Then I can get a 3/4 shaft to come out or the dash and weld a quick disconnect adaptor on to it. I may have to turn the end down to 5/8" as that is the diameter of the quick disconnect adaptor I have. The existing turn signal may have to go if the shroud that is attached to the existing steering wheel adaptor won't fit. It covers the cup like piece that is on the steering wheel side of the dash. If that has to go I'll put a toggle switch on the dash to handle the turn signals. there may be some type of a module under the dash as there's only a left and right wire coming off the switch plus a power source and I think it takes more than that to normally run turn signals???

 

 

 

The existing Grant steering wheel adaptor looks like it is made to fit a Toyota steering shaft with a taper and splines.

 

 

 

It looks like there is only two wires coming off the switch. It's nice to look at the wires and see that they are stamped with their function.

[solder_guy]

[solder_guy]

I finally went with this one .. off eBay. It is well made !! The movement of the lever feels really good! I removed several unnecessary wires .. and just kept three wires for the switch and one for the light at the end of the lever which works through grounding. If I decide to use the light .. I will need two diodes from each of the directional circuits to make the light work.

 

I fabricated a bracket to fasten it to the dash .. Still have some more drilling in the dash to do.

 

Rob

 

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/845833661_turn signal switch.jpg

[Al N.]

FWIW, I love the dash-mounted toggle on my Cat. I find that it, and the other horn/light buttons, fall quite easily to hand and have become really second nature.

[solder_guy]

FWIW, I love the dash-mounted toggle on my Cat. I find that it, and the other horn/light buttons, fall quite easily to hand and have become really second nature.

 

Well if I have the "death grip" on my steering wheel .. I want that horn button in the center of the wheel and the signal lever nearby!

 

Rob

 

[solder_guy]

I fabricated a bracket to fasten the turn switch to the dash .. Painted the bracket black .. and drilled holes through the lower dash bar to bolt in place beside the free steering spindle.

 

Now I have a real turn signal lever ! I still need to wire it up to make the light at the end of the turn signal blink.

 

Rob

 

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/845833661_turn signal switch.jpg

[solder_guy]

My first bracket put the switch housing out too far which interfered with the Grant Security lock mechanism! :crazy:

 

So I went back to ACE hardware and bought another bracket and modified it to not interfere .. Got the switch bolted securely in place .. and wired up the left function turn signal .. as well as the two diodes for the light at the end of the lever. Also began wiring in the Muth mirror Multifunction Circuit .. tried it out before dinner .. and the light at the end of the lever blinks!

 

Rob

 

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/845833661_turn signal switch.jpg

[jevs]

This is an old thread, but there was never a picture of this mounted to the dash. I am trying to figure out how I am going to do my blinkers and stuff. I would like to see how this looks if anyone has a picture or link.

[xcarguy]

This is an old thread, but there was never a picture of this mounted to the dash. I am trying to figure out how I am going to do my blinkers and stuff. I would like to see how this looks if anyone has a picture or link.

 

That particular type of switch mounts to the column. If you're not set on having that type of switch, you could opt for a simple three-way toggle switch (ON-OFF-ON):

 

http://www.skycraftsurplus.com/heavydutytoggleswitchdpdton-off-on.aspx

[jevs]

I have some better ideas, but I have come to the conclusion that I need the seats in and the steering wheel to know what is going to be best ergonomically.

 

Little things like this can make or break the enjoyment of driving around town. I doubt I will do that style toggle in the dash.......stay tuned I suppose.